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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2013)
Smoke Signals 3 JANUARY 15,2013 Tribe cuts 13 positions, some services for 2013 Johnston started working for the Tribe in June 2007 Department of the Interior seeking Grand Rondo Tribal member addresses The Department of the Interior's Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians is seeking the addresses of 22 Grand Ronde Tribal members, according to Accounts Maintenance Technician Stephanie Pine. Tribal members whose current whereabouts are unknown to the de partment are Teresa Bailey, Melvin Brisbois, Richard Oliver Brisbois, Allen Lewis Curl, Clifford P. Deane, Gail Ruth Grant, Tessa Dawn Grant, Fawn A. Haskins-Mack, Floriene Vivette Hoff, Dolly L. Howes, Kayla P. Kneeland, Darrel L. Mercier, Francis Michelle, Franklin Norwest, Sharon E. Provost-Carter, Sharmaine Scott, Francis Sim mons, Faye Smith, Peter Sulkey, Frank Summers, Michael C. Wiggs and Robert J. Wiggs. If your name is on this list, contact Rosie Selland in the Portland office of the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians at 503-231-6734 or RosemarySellandost.doi.gov. B By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor The Tribal government, in re sponse to an anticipated 5 percent decline in its budget from 2012, recently eliminated nine positions, did not fill four vacant positions and implemented program changes that will save an estimated $2.75 million annually. General Manager Mark Johnston detailed the staff reductions and program changes to Tribal staff in an e-mail sent Jan. 4. "As these decisions were being made," Johnston said, "we focused on the following objectives: 1) Reduce costs without sacrificing services wherever possible; 2) Align reporting structures to maximize use of support staff, and group together programs and services that are alike to streamline coor dination; 3) Distribute reporting responsibilities within the general manager's office more efficiently." For Tribal members, the program changes will include; Closure of the Eugene satellite office effective Jan. 1. Cultural classes supported through the Cultural Resources Department will continue in Eugene once a lo cation and the number of classes is determined; Publications returned to mailing out Tribal publications, such as Smoke Signals, at the less expensive standard postal rate on Jan. 1; Political contributions and spon sorships were reduced; The annual meteorite trip to New York City to visit Tomanowos has been changed to an every-other-year trip; And the Ackerson Road pump station project has been elimi nated. "A tremendous amount of time, energy and thought were put into these changes," Johnston said. "It is the first time that we, as an or ganization, have had to take such drastic measures. We recognize that it was not an easy process for any of our employees and I want to thank all of them for their contin ued dedication to the Tribe." Tribal government has been deal ing with declining funding since the beginning of the recession in late 2008. Spirit Mountain Casino General Manager Randy Dugger reported to the general membership in Septem ber that 2012 revenues were "flat" as predicted by his predecessor. Dugger added that 2013 revenues will probably mirror those of the previous year. In a Dec. 15 Message from the Chair published in Smoke Signals, Tribal Chairman Reyn Leno said the staff reductions will make Tribal government more efficient. "We believe it is our responsi bility to constantly evaluate for efficiency and make changes as necessary," Leno said. "We hope these changes will prove to be posi tive in 2013." B JOHNSTON continued from front page Johnston, 46, started working for the Tribe in June 2007 as the ex ecutive director of Health Services. Previously, he had worked six years with the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians and six with the Coquille Tribe. Johnston and his staff are cred ited with restructuring the Tribe's health services and finding creative ways to curb rising health care costs that were consuming Tribal dollars. An analysis commissioned by the Tribe in 2007 projected Tribal health care costs were going to hit $29 million by 2010. Under John ston's supervision, the Tribe was able to keep those costs contained at $18.5 million and find new ways to fund health care without sacrific ing coverage for Tribal members. "Given Mark's management style with the clinic, I have a lot of faith in Mark's abilities and his leadership to get the best out of his people," said Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. "That is exactly what we need in today's climate, everyone at their best. He has my support and I wish him all the best." Johnston graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth with a bachelor's degree in busi ness administration. In 1995, he accepted a position with the Indian Child Welfare Department of the Coquille Tribe. He then started writing grants for Coquille's health clinic and soon became the assis tant administrator for the Tribe's health department. In 2001, he accepted the health director position for the Coos, Low er Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. He was born and raised in Ban don, Ore., and graduated from Ban don High School. After earning his college degree in Texas, he returned to Bandon in 1989. He has been married for 26 years and has two daughters and one granddaughter. B Committee seeks Elders' phone numbers The Tribal Elders Committee is working on a volunteer phone list of Elders. If you would like to submit your phone number and address to be avail able to other Elders, send it to elders.committeegrandronde.org or leave a message at 503-879-2231. B Committee & Special Event Board meeting days and times Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for Tribal Committees and Special Event Boards: Ceremonial Hunt Board meets as needed. Chair: Shonn Leno. Cultural Trust Board meets at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in Modular No. 2. Chair: Perri McDaniel. Culture Committee meets at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month in Modular No. 3. Chair: CeCe Kneeland. Education Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday of the month in the Adult Education Building. Chair: Tammy Cook. Elders' Committee meets at 1 0 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Elders' Activity Center. Chair: Gladys Hobbs. Enrollment Committee meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance Building. Acting Chair: Robert Schmid. Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Natural Resources Building. Chair: Harold Lyon. Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month in the Tribal Wellness Center. Acting Chair: Patti Tom-Martin. Powwow Special Event Board meets at 5 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Tribal Community Center. Chair: Dana Ainam. Rodeo Special Event Board meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Tribal Rodeo Office. Chair: Harold Lyon. Social Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the Social Services Conference Room. Chair: Jenny San chez. Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Natural Resources Building. Chair: Bob Mercier. Veterans Special Event Board meets at 4 p.m. the first and third Tues day of the month in the Elders' Activity Center. Chair: Gene LaBonte. ATTENTION TRIBAL MEMBERS COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL EVENT BOARD VACANCIES The following Committees and Special Event Boards have vacant positions. Education Committee 1 Vacancy Please send completed applications to Stacia Martin, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347. 2013 Tribal Marketplace dates D Feb. 1-2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. B March 1-2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; March 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. B April 5-6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; April 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. B May 3-4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. B June 7-8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; June 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. B July 12-13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; July 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. B July 19-20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Elder Honor Day) Dates subject to change due to conflicting Tribal or SMC events. Located across from Cedar Plank Buffet.
